Local service guide
Window cleaning in Calgary: hiring and planning
For window cleaning in Calgary, request a written scope, check the provider’s municipal business licence, and agree on access and rescheduling before booking. The City lists window washing among businesses requiring municipal licensing. Before exterior work, check the water restriction stage and confirm the proposed water source and method. [1] [2]
Define the job before comparing quotes
Send bidders photos of each side of your home. Specify exterior glass only or both sides, and identify patio doors, basement windows, skylights and glass above stairs. Ask each bidder how they count a window so you can compare the same work.
Ask about screens, tracks, sills and frames as separate scope items. Confirm who removes and reinstalls screens and what track cleaning includes. Point out paint specks, adhesive and mineral marks. Require approval of any extra charge before the cleaner starts stain treatment.
Request an itemized total that identifies taxes, minimum charges and access equipment. Ask which amounts remain provisional until an inspection. If you need to reduce the scope, request a separate exterior-only price rather than leaving the inclusions unclear.
Check the business and its access proposal
Ask for the business name and Calgary municipal licence details before accepting an offer. The City’s cleaning-services guide lists window washing and pressure washing exterior windows and walls among activities requiring municipal licensing. Include a discussion of insurance alongside this licence check. [1]
Request evidence of liability insurance and ask whether the coverage includes the proposed work. Have the bidder explain how workers will reach upper windows. Share photos of sloping ground, narrow side yards, overhead wires and glass above roofs so the contractor can assess access before arrival.
For a condominium, ask the property manager who arranges exterior cleaning before hiring your own cleaner. Confirm permission for balcony or common-property access. Ask management to coordinate building access, and have the contractor explain responsibility for equipment and worker protection.
Confirm water rules and the proposed source
On October 15, 2026, the City reported no active outdoor water restrictions. Check again near the appointment. The City identifies drought, infrastructure work and water-supply pressures among reasons it may introduce restrictions. [2]
The City’s outdoor-use table permits washing building surfaces and windows at any time during Stages 1 through 3. During Stage 4, it prohibits routine exterior washing using Calgary’s potable supply. The same guidance describes alternative-water provisions for businesses, including non-potable sources and water from communities outside Calgary’s system. Confirm the proposed source and method with the City before proceeding under Stage 4. [2]
Treat a driveway or walkway add-on as a separate rules question. For Calgary’s potable supply, the City prohibits washing sidewalks, driveways and walkways during Stages 1 through 4 unless health and safety regulations require it. Ask the City to confirm any proposed alternative-water arrangement before including that work. [2]
Prepare the home and agree on completion
Confirm the arrival window, expected time on site, water access and whether someone must be home. Agree on who moves furniture and removes screens. Clear windowsills, secure pets and provide access through agreed gates or rooms. Photograph existing glass defects, loose screens and damaged frames before work starts.
For spring or fall exterior appointments, agree on a weather decision and a backup date. Calgary Airport’s 1991 to 2020 normals report 20.0 April days and 18.5 October days per month with minimum temperatures at or below 0°C. Use the appointment forecast and the contractor’s assessment to decide whether to proceed; these historical averages do not describe conditions during the work. [3]
Before paying, inspect the agreed glass surfaces and check that the cleaner has reinstalled any screens they removed. Agree in advance on how to report missed areas and the deadline for requesting a return visit. Compare any concerns with your photos of the glass before cleaning.
Days with minimum temperatures at or below 0°C
Local details that affect your job
Use municipal licensing to screen bidders
Calgary names window washing among businesses requiring municipal licensing. Ask bidders for licence details before selecting a cleaner. For questions about the requirement, contact the City’s Planning Services Centre at 403-268-5311. [1]
Verify the water source before a Stage 4 visit
Calgary’s restrictions apply to its Water Utility customers, including residences and businesses. During Stage 4, routine exterior washing using Calgary’s potable supply is prohibited. The City describes alternative-water provisions for businesses, so confirm the cleaner’s proposed source and method with the City before proceeding. Otherwise, agree on postponement. [2]
Choose the next step for your job
| Your situation | Next step | Confirm before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior glass only | Request an exterior-only quote using photos. | Window count, screen handling and water source. |
| Interior and exterior glass | Specify both surfaces in writing. | Room access, furniture movement and floor protection. |
| Upper windows or difficult access | Ask the contractor to assess access before confirming the price. | Equipment, insurance and any excluded windows. |
| Stage 4 outdoor restrictions | Postpone routine exterior washing using Calgary’s potable supply, or confirm an alternative with the City. | The City describes alternative-water provisions for businesses. Confirm the proposed source and method with the City before proceeding. |
| Condominium exterior | Ask management who arranges the work. | Permission, common-property access and building coordination. |
Your hiring checklist
- Send photos and specify the glass surfaces to include.
- Confirm window counting, screen handling, track cleaning and stain treatment.
- Request municipal licence details and evidence of liability insurance.
- Agree on access equipment and any property-manager coordination.
- Check restrictions and confirm the proposed water source and method.
- Confirm weather rescheduling terms and cancellation charges.
- Clear access, secure pets and photograph existing damage.
- Inspect the completed scope and confirm how to report missed areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a window cleaner need a Calgary business licence?
Yes. The City’s cleaning-services guide lists window washing among businesses requiring municipal licensing. Ask for the business name and licence details before accepting an offer. [1]
Can I arrange exterior cleaning during water restrictions?
Calgary permits washing outdoor windows during Stages 1 through 3. During Stage 4, it prohibits routine exterior washing using Calgary’s potable supply. Its guidance describes alternative-water provisions for businesses. Confirm the proposed source and method with the City before proceeding, and recheck the stage near the appointment. [2]
How should I compare prices?
Give each bidder the same photos and scope. Compare totals for the same glass surfaces, screens, tracks, stain treatment and access arrangements. Ask about taxes, minimum charges and approval of extras before choosing.
Should I book an October exterior clean?
Ask for a flexible appointment and a weather policy. Calgary Airport’s 1991 to 2020 normals report 18.5 October days per month with minimum temperatures at or below 0°C. That average does not determine conditions at your home or during the planned work hours. [3]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.